Germinating from seed questions

[Jensine449]

Newbie here but I'm ready to jump in head first and get some information from this oh-so-smart group of orchid enthusiasts.

I know it is extremely challenging, but I am interested in growing orchids from seeds. I'm a science teacher and I've done LOTS of reading about germinating and flasking, but I still have a few questions. Forgive me if the questions continue well beyond my initial post in this thread.

I have read about the need for sterile conditions inside of my glove box, but I am just having a hard time imagining how to get everything in there and still have the right conditions.

So, I have a glove box with a detatchable lid that I've made from an aquarium and a piece of plexiglass with circles cut out and need gloves to attach.

1. What kind of gloves? Can they be those yellow latex rubbermaid ones?

2. What supplies should I pressure cook? I've never used one before and frankly I've heard they can be dangerous if someone doesn't know what they're doing.

3. Don't the supplies get contaminated as I transfer from cooker to glove box? And then I just spray down again with bleach water once my box is closed?

I want this to be an exciting, fun and rewarding experience but I can already see myself getting bacteriophobic!

Any suggestions for a home hobbiest to create a sterile environment?? Thanks in advance!!

[tmaxwell]

Hi jensine! There's a ton of very useful info in the propagation forum about home flasking. Pressure cookers are totally safe, just don't open it until it's DONE steaming! I believe most folks don't sterilize equipment in the cooker so much as flasks. Sounds like you're on the right track, but keep in mind the challenge of planting out of seedlings. Without prior experience in orchid culture, it may be a big disappointment.

[Jensine449]

Thanks Tmaxwell!! I've just discovered the Propagation Threads, thanks to you. I see that has many answers to questions I've not yet asked. I'll try to go into it with an open mind and room for let down and growth--the challenge is really what's drawn me to propagation from seed! Thank you for your quick response!!

[Ray]

Playtex gloves are fine, but they may not be long enough to attach (seal) to the Plexiglas and still give you enough movement. If you can find some gauntlet gloves, that might be better.

Farmtek has some Disposable 35" Polyethylene Gloves - FarmTek that might work if you don't mind replacing them after a few uses.

As far as sterilization is concerned, only the flasks with agar need the pressure cooker. Folks often keep the tools in a 10% chlorine bleach solution, and keep a spray bottle of it the inside of the box to sterilize it one everything is placed inside.

[Jensine449]

Great suggestion, those long gloves look perfect and the price is super reasonable. I wonder, however, how to attach them, since they're much more "disposable"...I'll have to think about it. I have 3 1/4" holes cut in a plexiglass lid for my aquarium. Maybe I'll check out the hardware store to find sometime of piping or cupling that will work.

[Ray]

As they are temporary, I would think you could use masking or duct tape to affix them to the plexiglas.

Just run 3 or 4 strips lengthwise from the inside of the glove and spaly them so they hold the glove in place, then use more tape to seal the hole.

[Jensine449]

Have you used this type of glove before, Ray? I just wonder if they're flimsy or "papery"...if that makes sense. And I got so lucky! I bought som coupling today at Lowe's that is *perfect* for my glove box. I'll show pics once its done!!

[maitaman]

It might be a good idea to use a more semi-sterile method. Once you've mastered keeping things sterile enough for that, the rest of the process is easy to upgrade. The cornstarch method in the book works well and is a good teaching tool because you are working with minimum needs. The more complicated methods are explained as well. I wish I had the space here to go through the whole things, but alas!

[Jensine449]

I've gone with the not-too-thick, not-too-thin latex kitchen gloves as I've seen pictured in a few home made glove boxes. I'll try this once my medium arrives (I'm so excited!) and troubleshoot from there.

[D-D-]

Hi, I only want to offer encouragement. I have acquaintances who basically do this at the kitchen table and I regret never trying. Also why not later give consideration to tissue culture? D-D-